The Nyamwezi of Tanzania
Location and Background: The Nyamwezi tribe (“people of the moon”) is the second largest in Tanzania, living principally south of Lake Victoria in west-central Tanzania. About 30% of Nyamwezi live and work outside of their 35,000 miles of land, in Tanzania’s commercial and agricultural centers.
History: It is believed the Nyamwezi and their related tribe the Sukuma arrived in their present location in the 16th c. Before Europeans arrived, they had an empire consisting of four clans, each descended from one ancestor. Their ancient king, Mirambo, was known to be a brilliant military leader. They were traders, and by 1800 they were involved in trade of copper, wax, ivory, and slaves with Arabs at the coast. Elephant hunting was a prestigious occupation due to the wealth from ivory trade. They also acquired guns and were often involved in intra-tribal wars, and conflicts with the Arabs.
Culture: The nuclear family lives together, and villages are not necessarily based on kinship relationships. Ideally every adult should be married. Various rituals are held for marriage and naming babies, and Westernization has had much influence on how the Nyamwezi function. Children go to the government schools. They are agriculturalists and pastoralists. Goats and sheep are used for sacrifices, and for their meat and skins. Their land is dry woodland, with scarce water, so it is not prime agricultural land. Men work the land, women care for the home.
Religion: The Nyamwezi embrace African Traditional beliefs, Islam and Christianity. They have much respect for their ancestors (the living dead), to whom they offer sacrifices and rely on for their benevolence. Most claim to be Muslims and follow the five pillars of Islam, but in reality they live by their animistic worldview, believing in a creator God, the spirit world, and the importance of using witchdoctors and other diviners to communicate with the spirits. It is reported there are 80,000 Nyamwezi in the Moravian church. The AIC-T has planted a hundred churches in the area but the majority of attenders could be Sukuma, not Nyamwezi. Some say up to 15% of Nyamwezi could be Christian, most of those are Catholic or nominal Christian.
Learn more about the Nyamwezi at Joshua Project or about Tanzania at Operation World.
New Outreach!
A Nyamwezi pastor overseeing seven churches asks prayer for an entire family of new believers at the main church he recently moved to, praise God! Also praise God for six people who are meeting for Bible study together at another church where he serves! Pray for more to be involved in regular Bible study groups. Pray for the completion of the parsonage house, and for outreach to a Nyamwezi village named “Godly”, yet has no church. Ask the Lord of the Harvest to draw those who desire to be godly to know The Way, The Truth, and The Life! Also pray for a new church plant at “Responsive” village, where believers have completed the walls, but need 25 pieces to roof it. Pray that the worshipers will not scatter as rainy season arrives. Pray for reliable and adequate fuel for transportation to the seven churches this pastor oversees.
Peace in Troubled Times
Pray for peace and safety in Tanzania following the Oct 29 elections which were marked with protests, internet blockages, and underlying uncertainty. There seems to be mostly calm contentment within in the region of the Nyamwezi. Pray for Christian believers across the country, especially among youth, to seek God’s leading in all they do and say, and to trust that God’s hand is in control. Pray for those in the church who lead within the community and sit among the leaders of the land. Pray for boldness to preach truth and for God’s guidance in all conduct.
